Unconventional fly tying materials

Dak1138 · #1 02-07-2013, 05:08 AM

I thought it would be interesting to hear what non fly tying specific materials people use when tying flies.

I use copper wire from stranded wire , extension cords,small transformers and relays/contractors for for ribbing and body material. I can only find it in copper and red , but the price is right.
I also use the strands of rubber from a frayed bungee cord for rubber legs.
I was also toying with the idea of using a coffee filter or small box held in place with magnets on the vice as a garbage collector, but I just bought the proper basket instead.

Don Andersen · #2 02-07-2013, 07:03 AM

Beyond the typical sources like cats, dogs, farm animals etc. I would include condoms, dental dam, shoe lace internals, bra elastic, electric motor rewinding trace wire, kapok, cork, dental floss, Monofilament, electrical cord insulating layer, spinner bait skirt and on and on.
The world is full of tying stuff - some even works.
Of course, yarn stores and large craft shops are chock full of possibilities.

Don

Dust1n · #3 02-07-2013, 07:14 AM

Plastic Bags

ÜberFly · #4 02-07-2013, 07:35 AM

A buddy of mine has used his son's hair (ties up a "Josh's Special") and has caught with it!! LoL

grinr · #5 02-07-2013, 07:51 AM

Ive used a cordless drill as a vise,works pretty good for larger hooks at least.
Speaking of coffee cans^^^,thats what I catch my deer hair trimmings in from muddlers,bombers,bucbugs etc.

jednastka · #6 02-07-2013, 08:08 AM

I use deer hide for my Northern Pike streamers. Spray one side with one automotive paint colour, the other side with silver. Once it dries, cut it into thin strips with a box knife. I have used lengths up to 6 inches, and tied on first, then put the body over top, giving the fly some bulk. And yes, I have caught fish on them.

Vic

Pikebreath · #7 02-07-2013, 09:22 AM

Sometimes it's the source that is unusual, not necessarily the material,,, anyways here is some more stuff to add to the list...

- Christmas tinsel, ribbon, wrap, garland etc.
- wig hair from dollar store kiddie hair extensions, halloween masks etc.
- "mardi gras" plastic bead chain, plumbing bead chain etc.
- glass, plastic and metal beads, google doll eyes, foam sheets etc from craft /hobby / dollar stores
- ballon holder plastic tubes for tube flies
- craft fur from stuffed critters in the discounted toy bins.
- Goop (the glue), great stuff, coat the fly shank before tying and fly head for durabilty of streamer flies.
- bulk yarns and chenilles from fabric / yarn shops
- double sided tape (scotch 4010 and 4011) for making gummy minnow stlye flies.
- stretch tubing, surgical tubing, colored elastic bands.

The list is limited only by your imagination. I am constantly on the look out for stuff that can be somehow attached to a hook shank and made into a fly / lure!

pikergolf · #8 02-07-2013, 10:07 AM

Having read about the hares foot dry flies, I will be taking a snip off my wire hair dog. Just around the toes.

Toirtis · #9 02-07-2013, 10:37 AM

Wow...what do I not use/consider? Amongst my tying mats are unusual furs/hairs like guinea pig, cat, primate, various canids....uncommon botanicals like hemp fibers, certain plant stalk fibers....and the list of synthetics is crazy long...pieces of rubber dish gloves, different colours of latex, tyvek, anti-static bag, plastic ribbon, etc....also various metal wires and foils, although they tend to be a bit over-spendy.

braggadoe · #10 02-07-2013, 11:16 AM

can save alot of money using plastic Q-tips for light/unweighted tubes.

Q-tip with ear plug combination. excellent mice patterns,pike/bass poppers,skating flies,etc.

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greylynx · #11 02-07-2013, 11:23 AM

Fine silver coloured wire from computers. The electrostatc bags from computer equipment to create caddis bodies . Various sizes of handgun brass for stacking hair. Different coloured finger nail polish to change the colour of bead heads. Shoe Goo not only to repair waders but to form bodies.

Jayhad · #12 02-07-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braggadoe

can save alot of money using plastic Q-tips for light/unweighted tubes.

Q-tip with ear plug combination. excellent mice patterns,pike/bass poppers,skating flies,etc.

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Love it

kronk · #13 02-07-2013, 02:44 PM

Craft foam for good floating colored bodies.
Toilet chain cut to 2 links for heavy eyes,
Dog/guinnea pig/people hair...
celephane(sp?) paper for wings
hair elastics (bought a huge tub of them for a buck at a garage sale) for keeping your rod peices together during transport...

Lots of other stuff... I am pretty cheap...

kritofr · #14 02-07-2013, 08:35 PM

Bounce sheets for wing material

grinr · #15 02-08-2013, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toirtis

Wow...what do I not use/consider? Amongst my tying mats are unusual furs/hairs like guinea pig, cat, primate, various canids....uncommon botanicals like hemp fibers, certain plant stalk fibers....and the list of synthetics is crazy long...pieces of rubber dish gloves, different colours of latex, tyvek, anti-static bag, plastic ribbon, etc....also various metal wires and foils, although they tend to be a bit over-spendy.

LOL....hemp fibers and uncommon botanicals seem to find their way onto my desk also??